System and method for indicating coverage types for user devices in dual connectivity wireless networks

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods described herein improve a customer experience for non-standalone cellular networks by displaying a secondary cell group (SCG) network icon after data activity ends while a user device likely remains in SCG coverage. When connected to the SCG, the user device detects inactivity on the connection and initiates a first timer, based on the detecting, while continuing to present an SCG-related icon. If the first timer expires while the user device is in an idle state, the user device initiates a second timer, while continuing to present the SCG-related icon. If the user device detects an active connection before expiration of the second timer, the user device initiates a third timer while continuing to present the SCG-related icon. If the user device fails to detect a connection to the SCG before expiration of the third timer, a master cell group (MCG)-related icon is displayed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/038,403, filed on Sep. 30, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 16/451,715, filed on Jun. 25, 2019 (andissued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,834,774 on Nov. 10, 2020), both of which aretitled “System and Method for Indicating Coverage Types for User Devicesin Dual Connectivity Wireless Networks,” the contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Long Term Evolution (LTE) is a mobile telecommunications standard forwireless communications involving mobile user equipment, such as mobiledevices and data terminals. LTE networks include existing FourthGeneration (4G) and 4.5 Generation (4.5G) wireless networks. NextGeneration mobile networks, such as Fifth Generation (5G) mobilenetworks, are being deployed as the next evolution of mobile wirelessnetworks. 5G mobile networks are designed to increase data transferrates, increase spectral efficiency, improve coverage, improve capacity,and reduce latency.

While 5G networks are being deployed and evolving, 5G devices need to besupported in legacy networks, such as LTE networks. User devicesassociated with a 5G New Radio (NR) system may have the capability tocommunicate via a 5G network, as well as communicate via other networks,such as an LTE-based network. For example, an Evolved UniversalTerrestrial Radio Access New Radio Dual Connectivity (EN-DC) device hasthe capability to exchange data with an LTE base station (e.g., aneNodeB), as well as exchange data with a 5G next generation base station(e.g., a gNodeB). The 5G and LTE base stations may have different and/oroverlapping coverage areas where signals from multiple base stations canbe simultaneously detected by a user device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a network environment in which systemsand methods described herein may be implemented;

FIGS. 2A-2D are diagrams illustrating exemplary cell coverage areas in aportion of the environment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating exemplary components of the userequipment device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary configuration of logic componentsimplemented in the user equipment device of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are a state diagrams illustrating connection states andcorresponding icon presentations of the user equipment device of FIG. 1,according to implementations described herein; and

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary process forindicating coverage types for user devices in dual connectivity wirelessnetworks, according to an implementation described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings.The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the sameor similar elements. Also, the following detailed description does notlimit the invention.

As Fifth Generation (5G) networks are being rolled out, networks anduser equipment (UE) are being configured to connect to both 5G radioaccess networks (RANs) and 4G RANs, such as an Evolved Universal MobileTelecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network(E-UTRAN) of a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network. In these dual-coveragenetworks, referred to as Non-Standalone (NSA) networks, 5G-capable UEdevices need to be supported with 4G networks because of coveragereasons (e.g., limited coverage areas of 5G RANs), feature support(e.g., features, such as voice-over-LTE, that rely on 4G), and/orcertain handover requirements. In NSA networks, generally UE devicesfirst connect to a master cell group (MCG) before connecting to asecondary cell group (SCG) when 5G coverage is available. The mastercell group supports 4G connections (such as LTE connections), while thesecondary cell group supports 5G connections (such as 5G NRconnections). When in idle mode, the UE device listens over the mastercell group, and only connects to the secondary cell group when activelypassing data.

UE devices typically display an icon (referred to herein as a “networkicon”) that indicates the current type of network service. For example,the UE device may display a MCG-related network icon (e.g., a “4G” icon)when connected to a master cell group and may display a SCG-relatednetwork icon (e.g., a “5G” icon) when connected to a secondary cellgroup. Although these network icons accurately reflect the type ofnetwork service for an active network connection, network icons aretypically perceived by users as an indicator of network coverage evenwhen the UE device does not have an active connection. Because a UEdevice in an NSA network defaults to listen over the 4G RAN (e.g., themaster cell group) when not actively passing data, the UE device maypresent a “4G” network icon when the UE device is idle in a 5G NRcoverage area.

Systems and methods described herein improve customer experience byhaving the UE device display a 5G network icon after 5G data activityends (e.g., by radio link failure or proper conclusion of datatransmission) instructions in which the UE device likely remains in 5Gcoverage. According to an implementation, when connected to a secondarycell group that provides 5G service, the UE device may detect inactivityon the connection and may initiate a first timer, based on thedetecting, while continuing to present an SCG-related icon. If the firsttimer expires while the UE device is in an idle state, the UE device mayinitiate a second timer, while continuing to present the SCG-relatedicon. If the UE device detects an active connection before expiration ofthe second timer, the UE device may initiate a third timer whilecontinuing to present the SCG-related icon. If the UE device fails todetect a connection to the SCG before expiration of the third timer, aMCG-related icon may be displayed.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary environment 100 in which the systemsand/or methods, described herein, may be implemented. Referring to FIG.1, environment 100 includes UE device 110, a wireless station 120-1associated with a RAN 130-1, a wireless station 120-2 associated with aRAN 130-2, a core network 140 with network devices 150, and a datanetwork (DN) 160. Wireless stations 120-1 and 120-2 may be referred toherein collectively as wireless stations 120 and individually aswireless station 120 or 120-X, and RANs 130-1 and 130-2 may be referredto herein collectively as RANs 130 and individually as RAN 130 or 130-X.In other embodiments, environment 100 may include additional networks,fewer networks, and/or different types of networks than thoseillustrated and described herein.

Environment 100 includes links between the networks and between thedevices. Environment 100 may be implemented to include wired, optical,and/or wireless links among the devices and the networks illustrated. Acommunication connection via a link may be direct or indirect. Forexample, an indirect communication connection may involve anintermediary device and/or an intermediary network not illustrated inFIG. 1. Additionally, the number and the arrangement of linksillustrated in environment 100 are exemplary.

In the configuration of FIG. 1, UE device 110 may use wireless channels170-1 and 170-2 (referred to collectively as wireless channels 170) toaccess wireless stations 120-1 and 120-2, respectively. Wirelesschannels 170 may correspond, for example, to physical layer protocols inaccordance with different radio access technology (RAT) types. Forexample, wireless channel 170-1 may correspond to physical layerprotocols for 4G or 4.5G RANs (e.g., 3GPP standards for 4G and 4.5G airinterfaces, collectively referred to herein as “4G”), while wirelesschannel 170-2 may correspond to physical layer protocols for NR RANs(e.g., 3GPP standards for 5G air interfaces).

UE device 110 may include any type of mobile device having multiplecoverage mode capabilities, and thus communicate with different wirelessstations (e.g., wireless stations 120) using different wireless channels(e.g., channels 170) corresponding to the different RANs (e.g., RANs130). UE device 110 may include, for example, a cellular radiotelephone,a smart phone, a tablet, any type of internet protocol (IP)communications device, a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) device, alaptop computer, a wearable computer, a gaming device, a media playerdevice, or a digital camera that includes communication capabilities. Inother implementations, UE device 110 may be implemented as amachine-type communications (MTC) device, an Internet of Things (IoT)device, a machine-to-machine (M2M) device, etc. According toimplementations described herein, UE device 110 may be provisioned(e.g., via a subscriber identity module (SIM) card or another secureelement) to recognize particular network identifiers (e.g., associatedwith RANs 130) and to support particular radio frequency (RF) spectrumranges. UE device 110 may support wireless communications using 5G,4.5G, 4G, and other air interfaces. Additionally, UE device 110 maysupport simultaneous carrier aggregation of different RAT types (e.g.,4G and 5G NR).

Wireless stations 120 may each include a network device that hascomputational and wireless communication capabilities. Wireless stations120 may each include a transceiver system that connects UE device 110 toother components of RAN 130 and core network 140 using wireless/wiredinterfaces. Wireless stations 120 may be implemented as a base station(BS), a base transceiver station (BTS), a Node B, an evolved Node B(eNodeB or eNB), an evolved LTE (eLTE) eNB, a next generation Node B(gNodeB or gNB), a remote radio head (RRH), an RRH and a baseband unit(BBU), a BBU, or other type of wireless node (e.g., a picocell node, afemtocell node, a microcell node, etc.) that provides wireless access toone of RANs 130. Each wireless station 120 may support a RAN 130 havingdifferent RAT types. For example, in one implementation, RAN 130-1 mayinclude an E-UTRAN for an LTE network, while RAN 130-2 may include a 5GNR RAN. In another implementation, one or more of wireless stations 120may support multiple RAN types. For example, RAN 130-2 may be configuredto support communications via both LTE and 5G networks.

According to an implementation described herein, RAN 130-1 may serve asa master cell group (MCG) for a Non-Standalone (NSA) network inenvironment 100. Wireless station 120-1 for RAN 130-1 may use licensedRF spectrum for 4G networks. RAN 130-2 may serve as a secondary cellgroup (SCG) in which wireless station 120-2 (e.g., a gNodeB) provides 5GNR service using millimeter wave (mmWave) radio frequencies.

Core network 140 may include one or multiple networks of one or multipletypes. For example, core network 140 may include a terrestrial networkand/or a satellite network. According to an exemplary implementation,core network 140 includes a network pertaining to multiple RANs 130. Forexample, core network 140 may include the core part of an LTE network,an LTE-A network, a 5G network, a legacy network, and so forth.

Depending on the implementation, core network 140 may include variousnetwork elements that may be implemented in network devices 150. Suchnetwork elements may include a mobility management entity (MME), a userplane function (UPF), a session management function (SMF), a core accessand mobility management function (AMF), a unified data management (UDM),a PDN gateway (PGW), a serving gateway (SGW), a policy control function(PCF), a home subscriber server (HSS), as well other network elementspertaining to various network-related functions, such as billing,security, authentication and authorization, network polices, subscriberprofiles, network slicing, and/or other network elements that facilitatethe operation of core network 140. As described further herein, in thecontext of a 4G network that is configured to support 5G UEs, corenetwork 140 may include one or more network devices 150 with combined 4Gand 5G functionality, such as a session management function with PDNgateway-control plane (SMF+PGW-C) and a user plane function with PDNgateway-user plane (UPF+PGW-U).

DN 160 may include one or more networks, such as a local area network(LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), atelephone network, the Internet, etc., capable of communicating with UEdevice 110. In one implementation, PDN 160 includes a network thatprovides data services (e.g., via packets or any other Internet protocol(IP) datagrams) to UE device 110.

The number and arrangement of devices in environment 100 are exemplary.According to other embodiments, environment 100 may include additionaldevices and/or differently arranged devices, than those illustrated inFIG. 1.

As described above, in an exemplary implementation, UE device 110 is anEN-DC device capable of communicating via a 4G network (e.g., an LTEnetwork), as well as via a 5G network. According to standards for NSAnetworks, a 4G cell (e.g., RAN 130-1 using wireless station 120-1) mayserve as master cell group, and a 5G NR cell (e.g., RAN 130-2 usingwireless station 120-2) may serve as a secondary cell group whenavailable.

FIGS. 2A-2D are diagrams illustrating exemplary cell coverage areas inan area 200 of environment 100. Referring to collectively to FIGS.2A-2D, area 200 includes a 4G cell 210 overlapping multiple 5G cells220-1, 220-2 and 220-3 (referred to herein collectively as 5G cells220). Each of cells 210-220 may correspond to a particular coveragesupported by a particular wireless station 120. In an exemplaryimplementation, cell 210 may correspond to LTE-based cell having arelatively large coverage area supporting LTE communications devicesthat operate in a particular frequency. Each of cells 220 may correspondto a 5G NR cell that has a smaller coverage area than cell 210 andoperates in a different frequency band than cell 210.

UE devices 110 may present network icons 202 that indicate a currenttype of network service for UE device 110. Assume that UE devices 110may move within the area of 4G cell 210 and between 5G cells 220.

Referring to FIG. 2A, UE device 110-1 and UE device 110-1 may both belocated simultaneously within 4G cell 210 and 5G cell 220-1. Assume UEdevice 110-1 is in an active state connected to 5G cell 220-1, while UEdevice 110-2 is in an idle state listening via 4G cell 210. UE device110-1 displays a 5G network icon 202-1 while actively passing data using5G cell 220-1. UE device 110-2 displays a 4G network icon 202-2 becauseUE device 110-2 is not connected to 5G cell 220-1. Thus, identical UEdevices 110 in the same coverage area at the same time may presentdifferent network icons 202. Systems and methods described herein managethe presentation timing of network icons 202 to address userexpectations of 5G coverage. As described further herein, a series oftimers may be implemented in UE device 110 to extend the presentation of5G network icon 202-1 in certain situations where 5G coverage is likelyeven when a UE device 110 is not active on a 5G cell. The series oftimers may be implemented, for example, by a processor of UE device 110(e.g., as part of the operating system) or by a processor in a modem ofUE device 110.

Referring to FIG. 2B, UE device 110-1 may move from 5G cell 220-1 to anon-overlapping 5G cell 220-2, causing a radio link failure with 5G cell220-1. During a transition from 5G cell 220-1 to 5G cell 220-2, UEdevice 110-1 may briefly fall back to use 4G cell 210 beforeestablishing a connection with 5G cell 220-2. According to animplementation, UE device 110-1 may implement a no-data timer (T1) toextend the display of 5G icon 202-1 on UE device 110-1 (e.g., for aconfigurable period, such as 2-4 seconds) to create a perception ofconsistent 5G coverage and avoid flickering between 5G network icon202-1 and 4G network icon 202-2.

Referring to FIG. 2C, UE device 110-1 may stop actively exchanging dataand enter an idle mode while in 5G cell 220-2. According to animplementation, when UE device 110 has previously been using 5Gconnection prior to entering an idle state, UE device 110-1 mayimplement an idle mode delay timer (T2) to extend the display of 5G icon202-1 on UE device 110-1 (e.g., for a configurable period, such as 60seconds) to indicate consistent 5G coverage.

Referring to FIG. 2D, UE device 110-1 may return to an active mode afterfailing or becoming idle for a short time (e.g., less than the period ofidle mode delay timer T2). Upon returning to active mode, the network(e.g., core network 140) will not be immediately aware of thelocation/coverage for UE device 110-1. Although the initial networkdefault is for UE device 110-1 to start a 4G connection, according to animplementation, UE device 110-1 may implement a location buffer timer(T3) to temporarily display 5G network icon 202-1 (e.g., for aconfigurable period, such as 1-3 seconds) if the last connection modebefore becoming idle was 5G.

Timer T1 will extend the time 5G icon 202-1 will stay enabled, butdisplaying 5G icon 202-1 could lead to false impressions of 5G coverageif the timer duration (or interval) is long enough to extend to a timeperiod when the device is out of 5G coverage. Timer T2 may be set tohold 5G icon 202-1 on display while UE device 110 is transitioned toidle mode for a set period of time (e.g., 60 seconds)), leaving 5G icon202-1 displayed if data is transmitted over a 5G connection during theT3 duration, but resetting to 4G icon 202-2 if a 4G connection isutilized. Thus, the icon display on UE device 110 is accurate for activedata delivery, while also allowing for 5G icon 202-1 to be persistentfor a longer period of time after going to idle. When UE device 110moves from 5G coverage to an area with only 4G active, wireless station120-1 (e.g., an eNodeB) may release the secondary cell group and UEdevice 110 continues to pass data on the master cell group using 4G. TheT1 timer, which could be set to 3 seconds as an example, would startonly after the dormancy (or inactivity) timers from 4G and 5G end. As anexample, the dormancy timers could be set to 5 seconds for a gNodeB(e.g., wireless station 120-2), and 10 seconds for an eNodeB (e.g.,wireless station 120-1).

Although one 4G cell 210 and three 5G cells 220 are shown forsimplicity, in practice there may be more 4G cells 210 and differentamounts of 5G cells within and outside of each 4G cell 210.Additionally, 4G cells 210 and 5G cells 220 may overlap in anycombination and pattern to create areas of contiguous 4G or 5G coverage.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating exemplary components of a UE device 110according to an implementation described herein. As shown in FIG. 3, UEdevice 110 may include a processor 310, a memory 320, a user interface330, a communication interface 340, and an antenna assembly 350.

Processor 310 may include one or more processors, microprocessors,application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmablegate arrays (FPGAs), and/or other processing logic. Processor 310 maycontrol operation of UE device 110 and its components. According toimplementations describe herein, processor 310 may implementinstructions to manage icon display timers and present network icons(e.g., network icons 202-1 and 202-2).

Memory 320 may include a random access memory (RAM) or another type ofdynamic storage device, a read only memory (ROM) or another type ofstatic storage device, a removable memory card, and/or another type ofmemory to store data and instructions that may be used by processor 310.

User interface 330 may allow a user to input information to UE device110 and/or to output information from UE device 110. Examples of userinterface 330 may include a speaker to receive electrical signals andoutput audio signals; a camera to receive image and/or video signals andoutput electrical signals; a microphone to receive sounds and outputelectrical signals; buttons (e.g., a joystick, control buttons, akeyboard, or keys of a keypad) and/or a touchscreen to receive controlcommands; a display to output visual information; an actuator to causeUE device 110 to vibrate; and/or any other type of input or outputdevice. According to an implementation, user interface 330 may includean icon display 335 to selectively present network icons (e.g., networkicons 202-1 and 202-2).

Communication interface 340 may include a transceiver that enables UEdevice 110 to communicate with other devices and/or systems via wirelesscommunications (e.g., radio frequency, infrared, and/or visual optics,etc.), wired communications (e.g., conductive wire, twisted pair cable,coaxial cable, transmission line, fiber optic cable, and/or waveguide,etc.), or a combination of wireless and wired communications.Communication interface 340 may include a transmitter that convertsbaseband signals to radio frequency (RF) signals and/or a receiver thatconverts RF signals to baseband signals. Communication interface 340 maybe coupled to antenna assembly 350 for transmitting and receiving RFsignals.

Communication interface 340 may include a logical component thatincludes input and/or output ports, input and/or output systems, and/orother input and output components that facilitate the transmission ofdata to other devices. In an example, communication interface 340 mayinclude a network interface card (e.g., Ethernet card) for wiredcommunications and/or a wireless network interface (e.g., a WiFi) cardfor wireless communications. Communication interface 340 may alsoinclude a universal serial bus (USB) port for communications over acable, a Bluetooth™ wireless interface, a radio-frequency identification(RFID) interface, a near-field communications (NFC) wireless interface,and/or any other type of interface that converts data from one form toanother form.

Antenna assembly 350 may include one or more antennas to transmit and/orreceive RF signals. Antenna assembly 350 may, for example, receive RFsignals from communication interface 340 and transmit the signals andreceive RF signals and provide them to communication interface 340.

As described herein, UE device 110 may perform certain operations inresponse to processor 310 executing software instructions contained in acomputer-readable medium, such as memory 320. A computer-readable mediummay be defined as a non-transitory memory device. A non-transitorymemory device may include memory space within a single physical memorydevice or spread across multiple physical memory devices. The softwareinstructions may be read into memory 320 from another computer-readablemedium or from another device via communication interface 340. Thesoftware instructions contained in memory 320 may cause processor 310 toperform processes that will be described later. For example, memory 320may store instructions used by processor 310 to manage icon displaytimers and present network icons (e.g., network icons 202-1 and 202-2).Alternatively, hardwired circuitry may be used in place of, or incombination with, software instructions to implement processes describedherein. Thus, implementations described herein are not limited to anyspecific combination of hardware circuitry and software.

Although FIG. 3 shows example components of UE device 110, in otherimplementations, UE device 110 may include fewer components, differentcomponents, differently arranged components, or additional componentsthan depicted in FIG. 3. Additionally or alternatively, one or morecomponents of UE device 110 may perform the tasks described as beingperformed by one or more other components of UE device 110.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary functional block diagram of componentsimplemented in UE device 110. In an exemplary implementation, all orsome of the components illustrated in FIG. 4 may be implemented byprocessor 310 executing software instructions stored in memory 320. Inother implementations, all or some of the components illustrated in FIG.4 may be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware, firmwareand software used to perform the functionality described below.

UE 110 may include cell monitoring logic 410, cell selection logic 420,communication logic 430, and icon display logic 440. In alternativeimplementations, these components or a portion of these components maybe located externally with respect to UE device 110. For example, awireless station 120 or a network device 150 in core network 140 mayinclude logic to assist components in FIG. 4.

Cell monitoring logic 410 may include logic to measure and/or monitorthe signal strengths associated with particular cells (e.g., 4G cell 210and 5G cells 220). For example, UE devices 110 illustrated in FIG. 2Amay measure the strength of communication signals from wireless stations120 associated with cells 210 and 220.

Cell selection logic 420 may include logic to select a cell, such as ananchor cell (e.g., 4G cell 210) or non-anchor cell (e.g., one of 5Gcells 220) in environment 100. For example, UE 110-1 illustrated in FIG.2A may establish communications with a wireless station 120 associatedwith cell 210 (e.g., an anchor cell in this example) to facilitatecommunications via a 5G NR cell, such as cell 220-1. For example,selecting a cell which corresponds to an anchor cell may allow thatanchor cell to handoff communications to a gNodeB or other deviceassociated with communications via 5G NR cell 220-1 when UE 110 islocated within an area defined by 5G NR cell 220-1.

Communication logic 430 may include logic to communicate with elementsin environment 100 directly or indirectly. For example, communicationlogic 430 may transmit and receive communications associated withestablishing a radio resource control (RRC) connection with theappropriate wireless stations 120 in environment 100, such as an eNodeB(e.g., wireless station 120-1) associated with a 4G cell (e.g., a 4Gcell 210). Communication logic 430 may also transmit and receivecommunications associated with establishing a connection with a gNodeB(e.g., wireless station 120-2) associated with a 5G NR cell (e.g., a 5Gcell 220).

Icon display logic 440 may include logic to implement display of networkicons (e.g., network icons 202) on UE device 110. For example, icondisplay logic 440 may implement timers (e.g., T1, T2, T3) to give theindication and/or perception of 5G coverage under certain conditions, asdescribed herein. Icon display logic 440 is described further inconnection with FIGS. 5A and 5B.

Although FIG. 4 shows exemplary components of UE device 110, in otherimplementations, UE device 110 may include fewer components, differentcomponents, differently arranged components, or additional componentsthan depicted in FIG. 4. In addition, functions described as beingperformed by one of the components in FIG. 4 may alternatively beperformed by another one or more of the components of UE device 110.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are a state diagrams illustrating connection states andcorresponding icon presentations of UE device 110 over time. In oneimplementation, the icon presentations may be implemented by icondisplay logic 440 operating on processor 310 or a modem (e.g.,communication interface 340) of UE device 110.

In FIGS. 5A and 5B, a connection 510 of UE device 110 is mapped over aseries of events “A” through “T.” Connections states of UE device 110may include an idle state 512, an LTE connected state 514, and a 5G NRconnected state 516. LTE connected state 514 may correspond to an active4G connection with wireless station 120-1 (e.g., an eNB). NR connectedstate 516 may correspond to an active 5G connection with wirelessstation 120-2 (e.g., a gNB). Multiple timers, shown as inactivity timer520, TI timer 522 (e.g., a no-data timer), T2 timer 524 (e.g., an idlemode delay timer), and T3 timer 526 (e.g., a location buffer timer), maybe implemented in response to certain events A-T, as described herein.Inactivity timer 520, T1 timer 522, T2 timer 524, and T3 timer 526 mayregulate the presentation of icon display 530 for UE device 110. Icondisplay 530 may correspond to the presentation of network icon 202-1(“5G”) or network icon 202-2 (“4G”) on UE device 110. The durationsshown for connection states, timers, and displays in FIGS. 5A and 5B areillustrative and not to scale.

According to an implementation, T1 timer 522, T2 timer 524, and T3 timer526 may be configurable (e.g., by a network administrator). In oneaspect, T1 timer 522 may have a relatively short time period (e.g.,between 0-5 seconds, such as about 3 seconds) sufficient to cover ashort interruption in 5G network coverage. T2 timer 524 may have alonger duration than T1 timer 522 (e.g., about 30 to 90 seconds, such asabout 60 seconds) to provide a user a realistic perception of 5Gcoverage when UE device 110 has previously been using a 5G connectionprior to entering an idle state. T3 timer 526 may have a relativelyshort time period (e.g., less than the duration of T2 timer 524, or lessthan about 5 seconds, such as about 2-4 seconds) sufficient to allow UEdevice 110 to determine if a secondary cell group is still availableafter reconnecting from an idle state.

The timer durations described herein are provided for purposes ofillustration, and other timer durations for inactivity timer 520, T1timer 522, T2 timer 524, and T3 timer 526 may be used. For example, asthe amount of 5G cells 220 increases, along with customer expectationsfor 5G coverage, it may be preferable to shorten or extend one or moreof the timer durations for T1 timer 522, T2 timer 524, or T3 timer 526.Thus, in another exemplary implementation, the duration of T2 timer 524may be several minutes or more. As such, implementations describedherein are not limited to specified timer durations.

Referring to FIG. 5A, at event A, UE device 110 with an active 4Gconnection may begin in LTE connected state 514, enter a 5G cell (e.g.,5G cell 220-1) and download data. UE device 110 will detect 5G coverageand switch to NR connected state 516. UE device 110 may cause icondisplay 530 to present the 5G icon (e.g., network icon 202-1) to a user.At event B, UE device 110 stops downloading, and inactivity timer 520starts. Inactivity timer 520 may include one or more time values for 4Gor 5G network inactivity. For example, inactivity timer 520 may be 5seconds for 5G connections and 10 seconds for 4G connections. At eventC, before inactivity timer 520 expires, UE device 110 again startsdownloading, which stops inactivity timer 520.

At event D, UE device 110 again stops downloading, and inactivity timer520 re-starts. Assume UE device 110 remains inactive until inactivitytimer 520 expires at event E. Thus, at event E, UE device 110 entersidle state 512, bringing down or ending the 5G connection and LTEconnection. At this point (beginning at event E), the location of UEdevice 110 may be unknown to wireless stations 120, and UE device 110starts T1 timer 522.

Assume that UE device 110 remains in idle state 512 through theexpiration of T1 timer 522 at event F. The location and network coveragefor UE device 110 at event F remains unknown to wireless stations 120,and UE device 110 starts T2 timer 524. Assume that UE device 110continues in idle state 512 through the expiration of T2 timer 524 atevent G. UE device 110 may cause icon display 530 to continuouslypresent the 5G icon (e.g., network icon 202-1) between events A-G, eventhough UE device 110 is in idle state 512 for some of that period.

At event G, when T2 timer 524 expires, UE device 110 may cause icondisplay 530 to switch to present the 4G icon (e.g., network icon 202-2)to a user. That is, UE device 110 has been in idle state 512 (without aknown location/coverage) for a significant time period (e.g., over aminute), and 5G coverage from the previous active connection is nolonger presumed.

Assume that, prior to event H, UE device 110 resumes an activeconnection while in a 5G cell (e.g., 5G cell 220-2). Thus, after a brief4G connection, UE device 110 returns to NR connected state 516. UEdevice 110 may cause icon display 530 to continuously present the 4Gicon (e.g., network icon 202-2) between events G and H. At event H, UEdevice 110 may cause icon display 530 to switch to present the 5G icon(e.g., network icon 202-1).

Referring to FIG. 5B, assume at event K, that UE device 110 stopsdownloading, and inactivity timer 520 re-starts. Assume UE device 110remains inactive until inactivity timer 520 expires at event L. Thus, atevent L, UE device 110 enters idle state 512, again bringing down orending the 5G connection and LTE connection. At this point (beginning atevent L), the location of UE device 110 may be unknown to wirelessstations 120, and UE device 110 starts T1 timer 522. Assume UE device110 remains in idle state 512 through the expiration of T1 timer 522 atevent M. The location and network coverage for UE device 110 at event Mremains unknown to wireless stations 120, and UE device 110 again startsT2 timer 524.

At event N, UE device 110 resumes active connection before theexpiration of timer T2, switching from idle state 512 to LTE connectedstate 514 at an initially unknown location. T3 timer is initiated toallow time to determine if UE device 110 is still in a 5G cell. Assumethat at event O, UE device 110 connects to a 5G cell (e.g., 5G cell220-2) before the expiration of T3 timer and enters NR connected state516. UE device 110 causes icon display 530 to continuously present the5G icon (e.g., network icon 202-1) between events K-O, even though UEdevice 110 is in idle state 512 and LTE connected state 514 for some ofthat period.

At event P, UE device 110 again stops downloading, and inactivity timer520 again starts. Assume UE device 110 remains inactive until inactivitytimer 520 expires at event Q. Thus, at event Q, UE device 110 entersidle state 512, bringing down the 5G connection and LTE connection. Atthis point (beginning at event Q), the location of UE device 110 mayagain be unknown to wireless stations 120, and UE device 110 starts T1timer 522. Assume that UE device 110 remains in idle state 512 throughthe expiration of T1 timer 522 at event R. The location and networkcoverage for UE device 110 at event R remains unknown to wirelessstations 120, and UE device 110 starts T2 timer 524.

At event S, UE device 110 resumes active connection before theexpiration of timer T2, switching from idle state 512 to LTE connectedstate 514 at an initially unknown location. T3 timer is initiated toallow time to determine if UE device 110 is still in a 5G cell. Assumethat at event T, T3 timer expires before UE device 110 connects to a 5Gcell (that is, UE device 110 remains in an active 4G connection). Thus,UE device 110 may cause icon display 530 to continuously present the 5Gicon (e.g., network icon 202-1) from event K up to event T, beforeswitching to a 4G icon at event T (e.g., network icon 202-2).

Although FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate some connection states and correspondingicon presentations of UE device 110, not every connection state andcorresponding icon presentation scenario is shown in FIGS. 5A-5B. Otherconnection states and corresponding icon presentations of UE device 110are not shown for simplicity.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary process 600 forindicating coverage types for user devices in dual connectivity wirelessnetworks, according to an implementation described herein. In oneimplementation, process 600 may be implemented UE device 110. In anotherimplementation, process 600 may be implemented by UE device 110 inconjunction with one or more other devices in network environment 100.

Referring to FIG. 6, process 600 may include detecting if an activenetwork connection provides 4G or 5G service (block 605). For example,UE device 110 may connect to an LTE network (e.g., a master cell groupfor a non-standalone wireless network) and, if available, may establisha connection to one or more secondary cell groups that provide 5G NRservice.

If the active network connection provides only 4G service (block605—4G), process 600 may include displaying a 4G icon (block 610). Forexample, if UE device 110 is not connected to a secondary cell group, UEdevice 110 may present a MCG-related network icon (e.g., 4G network icon202-2). If the active network connection provides 5G service (block605—5G), process 600 may include displaying a 5G icon (block 615). Forexample, if UE device 110 is connected to a secondary cell group, UEdevice 110 may present a SCG-related network icon (e.g., 5G network icon202-1).

Process 600 may further include determining if there is a radio linkfailure (RLF) or idle mode is entered from 5G coverage (block 620). Forexample, UE device 110 may detect a loss of signal from both a mastercell group and secondary cell group. Alternatively, UE device 110 mayenter idle mode after expiration of an inactivity timer.

If there is no radio link failure or an idle mode is not entered (block620—No), process 600 may include continuing to display the 5G icon(block 615). If there is a radio link failure or idle mode is entered(block 620—Yes), process 600 may include starting a T1 timer andcontinuing to display the 5G icon (block 625). For example, UE device110 may initiate T1 timer 522 when a connection to the secondary cellgroup is lost.

Process 600 may further include determining if a 5G connection becomesactive before the T1 timer expires (block 630). For example, UE device110 may determine if there is a reconnection (e.g., to the master cellgroup or secondary cell group) or if UE device 110 continues in an idlemode. If a 5G connection becomes active before the T1 timer expires(block 630—Yes), process 600 may include continuing to display the 5Gicon (block 615). If a 5G connection does not become active before theT1 timer expires (block 630—No), process 600 may include starting a T2timer and continuing to display the 5G icon (block 635). For example, UEdevice 110 may initiate T2 timer 524 when the T1 timer expires while UEdevice 110 is in an idle state.

Process 600 may further include determining if a 4G connection becomesactive before the T2 timer expires (block 640). For example, UE device110 may determine if there is a reconnection (e.g., to the master cellgroup) or if UE device 110 continues in an idle mode for the duration ofthe T2 timer. If UE device 110 does not reconnect before the T2 timerexpires (block 640—No), process 600 may include displaying a 4G icon(block 610). For example, if UE device 110 remains in an idle state pastthe expiration of T2 timer 524, UE device 110 may switch from a 5G icondisplay 202-1 to a 4G icon display 202-2. If UE device 110 reconnectsbefore the T2 timer expires (block 640—Yes), process 600 may includestarting a T3 timer and continuing to display the 5G icon (block 645).For example, UE device 110 may initiate T3 timer 526 when UE device 110reconnects from an idle state after previously having a 5G connection.

Process 600 may further include determining that UE device 110establishes a 5G connection before the T3 timer expires (block 650). Forexample, after an initial connection to a 4G network (e.g., a mastercell group), UE device 110 may connect to a 5G network (e.g., asecondary cell group) when in an appropriate coverage area. If UE device110 does not connect to the 5G network before the T3 timer expires(block 650—No), process 600 may include displaying a 4G icon (block610). For example, if UE device 110 remains connected to only the mastercell group past the expiration of T3 timer 526, UE device 110 may switchfrom a 5G icon display to a 4G icon display. If UE device 110establishes a 5G connection before the T3 timer expires (block 650—Yes),process 600 may include continuing to display the 5G icon (block 615).For example, UE device 110 may present a SCG-related network icon (e.g.,5G network icon 202-1) continuously through the idle period that expiresprior to the duration of the T3 timer.

The foregoing description of implementations provides illustration anddescription, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variationsare possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired frompractice of the invention. For example, in other implementations, T1timer 524 may be eliminated. Also, while a series of blocks have beendescribed with regard to FIG. 6, the order of the blocks andmessage/operation flows may be modified in other embodiments. Further,non-dependent blocks may be performed in parallel.

Certain features described above may be implemented as “logic” or a“unit” that performs one or more functions. This logic or unit mayinclude hardware, such as one or more processors, microprocessors,application specific integrated circuits, or field programmable gatearrays, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

To the extent the aforementioned embodiments collect, store or employpersonal information of individuals, it should be understood that suchinformation shall be collected, stored and used in accordance with allapplicable laws concerning protection of personal information.Additionally, the collection, storage and use of such information may besubject to consent of the individual to such activity, for example,through well known “opt-in” or “opt-out” processes as may be appropriatefor the situation and type of information. Storage and use of personalinformation may be in an appropriately secure manner reflective of thetype of information, for example, through various encryption andanonymization techniques for particularly sensitive information.

Use of ordinal terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., in theclaims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote anypriority, precedence, or order of one claim element over another, thetemporal order in which acts of a method are performed, the temporalorder in which instructions executed by a device are performed, etc.,but are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having acertain name from another element having a same name (but for use of theordinal term) to distinguish the claim elements.

No element, act, or instruction used in the description of the presentapplication should be construed as critical or essential to theinvention unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, thearticle “a” is intended to include one or more items. Further, thephrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on”unless explicitly stated otherwise.

In the preceding specification, various preferred embodiments have beendescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will, however,be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto,and additional embodiments may be implemented, without departing fromthe broader scope of the invention as set forth in the claims thatfollow. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded inan illustrative rather than restrictive sense.

All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the variousaspects set forth in this disclosure that are known or later come to beknown to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporatedherein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A user device comprising: one or more processorsconfigured to: display a secondary cell groups (SCG)-related icon when aconnection is established with one or more SCGs in a wireless network;initiate a first timer, while continuing to display the SCG-relatedicon, when the user device enters an idle state; initiate a secondtimer, while continuing to display the SCG-related icon, when the firsttimer expires and the user device remains in the idle state; and replacethe display of the SCG-related icon with a master cell group(MCG)-related icon when the second timer expires while the user deviceremains in the idle state.
 2. The user device of claim 1, wherein atleast one of the one or more processors is included in a modem of theuser device.
 3. The user device of claim 1, wherein the one or moreprocessors are further configured to: detect, before expiration of thesecond timer, an active connection with a MCG; and continue to displaythe SCG-related icon for a configured time interval after the detecting.4. The user device of claim 3, wherein the one or more processors arefurther configured to: replace the display of the SCG-related icon withthe MCG-related icon when the user device is not connected to one of theSCGs within the configured time interval after the detecting.
 5. Theuser device of claim 1, wherein one or more of the first timer and thesecond timer have configurable intervals.
 6. The user device of claim 1,wherein the second timer includes a second configurable time intervalthat is larger than a first configurable time interval of the firsttimer.
 7. The user device of claim 1, wherein the SCG includes a nextgeneration Node B using millimeter wave (mmWave) radio frequencies. 8.The user device of claim 1, wherein the MCG includes a wireless stationfor a Long Term Evolution network.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein atleast one of the one or more processors is further configured to:execute an operating system of the user device to initiate one of thefirst timer or the second timer.
 10. A method, comprising: displaying,on a user device, a secondary cell groups (SCG)-related icon when aconnection is established with one or more SCGs in a wireless network;initiating a first timer, while continuing to display the SCG-relatedicon, when the user device enters an idle state; initiating a secondtimer, while continuing to display the SCG-related icon, when the firsttimer expires and the user device remains in the idle state; andreplacing the display the SCG-related icon with a master cell group(MCG)-related icon when the second timer expires while the user deviceremains in the idle state.
 11. The method of claim 10, furthercomprising: continuing to display the SCG-related icon for a configuredtime interval when an active connection with a MCG is detected beforethe second timer expires.
 12. The method of claim 11, furthercomprising: replacing the display of the SCG-related icon with theMCG-related icon when the user device is not connected to one of theSCGs within the configured time interval.
 13. The method of claim 10,wherein one or more of the first timer and the second timer haveconfigurable intervals.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein the secondtimer includes a second configurable time interval that is larger than afirst configurable time interval of the first timer.
 15. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the SCG includes a next generation Node B usingmillimeter wave (mmWave) radio frequencies, and wherein the the MCGincludes a wireless station for a Long Term Evolution network.
 16. Themethod of claim 10, further comprising: executing an operating system ofthe user device to initiate one of the first timer or the second timer.17. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions,executable by at least one processor of a network device, for:displaying a secondary cell groups (SCG)-related icon when a connectionis established with one or more SCGs in a wireless network; initiating afirst timer, while continuing to display the SCG-related icon, when theuser device enters an idle state; initiating a second timer, whilecontinuing to display the SCG-related icon, when the first timer expiresand the user device remains in the idle state; and replacing the displayof the SCG-related icon with a master cell group (MCG)-related icon whenthe second timer expires while the user device remains in the idlestate.
 18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17,further comprising instructions for: continuing to display theSCG-related icon for a configured time interval when an activeconnection with a MCG is detected before the second timer expires. 19.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 18, furthercomprising instructions for: replacing the display of the SCG-relatedicon with the MCG-related icon when the user device is not connected toone of the SCGs within the configured time interval.
 20. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 18, further comprisinginstructions for: continuing to display the SCG-related icon when theuser device is connected to one of the SCGs within the configured timeinterval.